Pininfarina Driving Rough

[Twangs]

Hi everyone - I have a 1984 Pininfarina 2000 with about 40,000 original miles on it. Recently, it has sporadically been running rough. I will be driving along, no problem, when all of a sudden, it will lose power. No matter how much gas I give it, it slows down. Most times, it will come back to life and accelerate back to life. A few times though, I have come to a stop and stalled. After a few tries, it starts up, and I can drive a bit more. Again, it happens sporadically - sometimes it drives just fine. I'm thinking I'd start with a new fuel filter, and then if that doesn't work, a new fuel pump. But I wanted to run this by you before I get into all of that.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ORFORD2004]

Check all your ground connection

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I'm thinking I'd start with a new fuel filter, and then if that doesn't work, a new fuel pump.

That's where I'd start. Also, with only 40,000 miles on the car, that means it wasn't driven much, so I'd also suggest pulling off the sending unit on the fuel tank and peering inside the tank with a flashlight. There might be a lot of crud on the bottom, which means your new fuel filter and pump would likely get plugged again fairly quickly. If that's the case, the ultimate solution is to replace the tank, but I've also drained and taken them out, hit the insides with a high pressure hose, let it thoroughly dry, and put it back together. But, I live in a dry climate and so moisture usually isn't an issue.

-Bryan

[spider2081]

I agree with Bryan. The fuel pump and filter are the lowest point of the fuel system and so that's where water collects. Personally we drive our 81 Spider around 5000 miles a year. I change the fuel filters ( I installed one before the pump) every 2 years.
How long have you owned the car? How many miles have you put on it? What maintenance has been performed while you owned it.

[Wolfman2332]

I had a similar problem on my 84, and Giovanni tracked down to rust in the tank messing up the pump because the filter is after the pump. So, he put an additional filter in front of the pump, and a new pump. 3 tanks of gas and it purrs like a kitten.

Side note: I told him it was intermittent, and the roughness only started after 30-45 minutes. He said the the fuel would 'back flush' the filter, causing the filter to clear for a while, and it would run fine until the filter began plugging again. I would suggest the the facts prove he was correct.

[Twangs]

Hi everyone - I replaced the fuel filter without a problem, and the car drove great for about 45 minutes or so. However, the same issue has started up again. I'm thinking the crud on the bottom of the fuel tank might be the issue - I'm going take off the sending unit and look down there to see what i can see.